Jan. 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said he would ask Congress to approve a massive $500 billion increase in defense spending to fund his "Dream Military," taking the Pentagon's 2027 budget to a record $1.5 trillion.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump said "these very troubled and dangerous times" required the 50% hike for the good of the United States and that he had reached his determination after protracted, thorny debate with his cabinet and lawmakers.
"This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe. If it weren't for the tremendous numbers being produced by tariffs from other countries, many of which, in the past, have 'ripped off' the United States at levels never seen before, I would stay at the $1 trillion dollar number," he wrote.
The extra funding would pay for new hardware headed by his "Golden Dome" air defense scheme and a new class of guided-missile battleship -- items totally out of reach at current budget levels.
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